The container over flowed because the kids tried to pour in 3 3/5 times the amount it would hold. If they they tried to pour in 288 gallons, how much can it hol

Question

Thanks 

Answer 1

Read and re-read the problem until you can put it into your own words.  How's this:

    "the kids tried to pour in 288 gallons, which is 3 3/5 times the amount it would hold"   which means

                                      288                       =   (3 3/5)   *                       x

where

     x = amount the container holds

 

The math:

     288 = (3 3/5)x           [re-write]

     288 = (18/5)x             [change mixed number to improper fraction]

     (5/18)(288) = x          [multiply both sides by (5/18)]

           80 = x

The container holds 80 gallons.

 

 

Answer 2

Let X be the unknown quantity.

 

 

X= 288÷ 3 3/5

 

X= 288 ÷ 18/5

 

X=288 x 5/18    (flip or invert the numbers when dividing by a fraction and change the division sign to multiplication)

 

X= 288 x    5   

        1      18      = 16x5=80gallons

 

 

You can check your answer by multiplying 80 x 33/5  0r     80 x 3.6 (.6 is 3/5 in decimal form)

                                                                       

You will  get 288 gallons